The Republican journal., 1887-12-01
Rev. c. II. SpurgcOn's Withdrawal frem the
Baptist Union.

To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL: In a recent
issue of your paper, your London correspondent
gave many interesting facts concerning Mr.. Spur
gcon's work, his audience of G000 his college for
theological students, his orphanages, his "Trcasufy
of David" etc. But the writer's statement that
the grea; preacher had severed his connection with
the Baptist denomination is incorrect. In tine first
place the Baptist tnion' is a voluntary associa-
ton Of the Baptists of Great Britain and Ireland.
1t has no doctrnal basis, executive capacity, no
power OF discipline. For some years past, Mr.
Sturgeon has been member of this body. Re-
Gently the great biblical preacher who never fears
to draw Lis Damascus blade in defence of revealed
truth, has observed that some of the Baptist min
listers belonging to the 81 nion" haye been preach
ing unscrirtur:l doctrines. With mon dissemnat-
in@ views II variance with the Word Of God, Mr.
Sturgeon could have no fellowship. Accordingly
lie defined his position in the Sword and Truwc-
paper of which he is ltit0l--in the following
paragraph:
"Duiing the past month many have put to Us the
anxious question: what shall we dog: To these
we have had no answer to give except that each
one act for himself after seeking direction of the
Lord In our own case we htimacd our course
of action in last months paper. We retire At once
and distinctly from the Baptist ninE. The isap-
tist churches are each one Of them self contained
and independent. The Baptist Union is only a
voluntary association of such churches, and il is
simple matcrfor church or an individual TO With
draw from it. The union, rs ut present constituted
has 10 disciplinary power for IT has no docirinai
basis WhatcNerand we see no reason why every form
of belief and misbcef should not be comprehend
ed i'll ii, so long as immersion only is acknoN lcdg-
cd as baptism. There is use in blaming the
union Coz harboring errors of the EXTREMIST Kind
for far we can see, it is powericss to help it.
self. ii il even wished TO do Those who origin
ally founded it made it without form and void,
AMI so it must remain. At least we do not see any
likelihood Of Il change. large humber have this
stats of things in admiration, and will 90 on with
i SO hayt no such admiration, and therefore we
have ceased from il. But we want outsiders to
hn"" That we are III no wise altered in our faith,
~ in our ,ienomnt'onal position. rs Il baptized
believer our place is where it always has been"
Tie "Baptist Union of England differs cssenti.
lions in America. Our Associations have dsci-
r!inary power. They can G. pel church from the
b"dy if that church departs from the faith, or
employs minister who breaches unscriptural
doctrine. But the BAPTIST Union has no such a,l.
thorty. Were Mr.. Sturgeon in this country, he
could, at our UNCONVENTIONAL gathcrings--cmbr
ing rs they ali do nearly three million communi-
caits-cai to account men preaching hcrciical
views 70 our churches. In that ease he would not
he under the necessity of taking the course now
published 10 The world. What he has done Is s,nlp.
y Withdrawing from a voluntary association,
AnoHn rs the Bapiia. Union, because it retain.
men who hold and teach their opinions which DO
not accord with the Sacred Record. lii oNn be
lief, art. his d2nOminati5hal LOYALTY and position
| remain unchanged. Gro. 4. Trir-
Belfast. NOV. >, -.